Beetroot & Sweet Potato Brownies (Hale & Hearty)

It's been one of those weekends. Poorly big little boy meant none of the things I needed to do got done on Saturday, then Sunday was spent catching up with myself. Still needed a proper pudding for dinner and a treat for packed lunches. Spotted a pack of Hale and Hearty Brownie mix (this does have a may contain milk warning) lurking on a shelf and decided that would save me some time. 

I've never been one for following recipes or instructions on packet mixes. Usually I'd add 100g of roughly chopped roasted hazelnuts and a cup of crumbled frozen raspberries, but as it's a nut free school, that would be no use today. I opted for the hidden veg option instead...

120g Dairy & Soya Free Spread

300g Puree Sweet Potato & Beetroot (I used 1 medium sweet potato and a pack of ready cooked beetroot)

400g Box Hale & Hearty Rich Chocolate Brownie Mix

Blueberries (or other berries) - I think I used about 150g

Prick the sweet potato with a fork. Microwave for 4 minutes (or until soft). Cut in half lengthways, scoop out the middle and put in a bowl.

Roughly chop the beetroot and add to the sweet potato (if you're using fresh beetroot, peel, chop, add a splash of water, cover and microwave until soft).

Blend or mash the vegetables.

Add the dairy and soya free spread and the pack of brownie mix. Beat with a wooden spoon until well combined.

Add half the blueberries (if using).

Pour the mixture into a lined brownie tin and top with remaining blueberries.

Bake at 175ºC for 25minutes until the blueberries just beginning to soften and the top feels spongy.

Leave to cool in the tin (or slowly cut off slithers to try if you're like me and Mini Monster and couldn't wait).

Cut into squares. Will freeze well.

Hale & Hearty

I've never been a fan of packet mixes, not sure I've ever bought one (actually, not entirely true, 4 years ago I bought a biscuit kit for the In The Night Garden cutters in the box, but threw away the mix), but I'm aware some people do and find them easier than weighing out mixes.

Given the lack of suitable 'free from' products available off-the-shelf for multiple allergies, I was intrigued when I found Hale & Hearty cake mixes in Sainsbury's (some are now available from Ocado too). Ingredients looked good (Milk, Egg, Soya and Wheat Free), but instructions involved adding eggs and milk.

I then set about the surprisingly satisfying task of adapting the instructions to make them suitable. Suffice to say, they are now a store cupboard staple. Very easy to use AND fantastic results. Chocolate Raspberry Brownies went down particularly well on Cake Thursday at work.

Here are a few samples of what I have made so far:


Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix

Lovely with frothy Oat Milk

Double Chocolate Muffin Mix

Chocolate Banana Muffins

Classic Vanilla Sponge Mix

Orange Star Cake to take to a birthday party

Rich Chocolate Brownie Mix

Raspberry and Hazelnut Brownie

Ok, so I still couldn't bring myself to just leave the mix alone...

Quick and Easy Pizza Mix makes great breadsticks and if you really don't want to cook, the Pure Oat Flapjack are individually wrapped and handy for snacks on the go.

I will get round to posting recipes eventually...